Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

Chapter 142: Vermilion

The Kushan Sect stayed in Juyi Valley for three days.

As the Alliance Leader, Yan Qing couldn’t be isolated from the world for too long. The intention of the master and disciple was to leave him some time to calm down, but Yan Qing never panicked from start to finish. He just practiced martial arts in silence and did miscellaneous tasks with the same demeanor as always.

However, after descending the mountain, the situation deteriorated rapidly.

There were some scattered towns under Kushan. When everyone went up the mountain, it was still bustling. However, after a few days, the town was deserted, and no one was in sight. Unlike the anomaly of the abandoned Xizhuang, traces of people’s hasty evacuation filled the place. Above was the bright spring light; below were broken eggs, spilled rice, and trampled vegetable leaves. Miscellaneous objects were trampled to pieces, leaving only a pile of pitiful wooden fragments.

Near the temple in the town, there seemed to be a family preparing for a celebration, with a lively red decoration at the door. But now there wasn’t a single person on the street, and the festive atmosphere turned desolate.

Yin Ci recognized this scene. Three hundred years ago, the Yun Dynasty wasn’t yet stable. Wars were raging, bandits were everywhere, and the people were like startled birds. Whenever there were rumors of bandits coming, people would gather their food and belongings and flee to the big cities in advance.

As the leader of thousands of troops, Yin Ci had seen this situation too many times.

Kushan was to the east of Yidu, closer to Luojiu. Perhaps the border situation wasn’t good, and some desperate looters had emerged… In these three hundred years, Great Yun had been prosperous, and such a scene had never occurred.

Shi Jingzhi, quick-witted, guessed almost immediately. “Bandit troubles?”

“It might not be true,” Yin Ci sighed, “but if people are convinced, the situation isn’t much better.”

The entire town lay silent, like a piece of meat that was on the verge of rotting—shiny on the surface, but the smell of decay was evident.

“Now we don’t even need to find an inn. It’s quite convenient.”

Shi Jingzhi rubbed the wound on his throat, but his expression wasn’t as relaxed as his tone.

“It seems my Emperor Brother, after all, couldn’t hold on.”

Now he understood the ambition of this Hundred-Year Project. When He Cheng’an appeared out of nowhere and began to support Xu Ye, his intentions were intriguing. Not to mention the current royal family, even the founding emperor Xu Ye might have been just a pawn.

Now the world was about to fall into chaos, and the frontier was unstable. According to the arrangement of the Immortal Assembly, he should be the one to eat the Shirou and be used by the Imperial Preceptor’s lineage. By then, they would kill Xu Jingxing and gather people’s hearts in the name of the gods, promoting him, the talented heir to the throne… Whether for the demon tree or personal gain, everything seemed within their grasp.

No wonder he was lured out of the palace with the news of the Shirou. It seemed that before Yan Budu lost control, they wanted to observe his performance and “inspect the goods” in advance. Accidentally blaming the Kushan Sect was probably because they were worried he might gather forces and create unpredictable variables.

They seemed to think of him as a docile pig ready for slaughter.

…But if he hadn’t met Yin Ci, he might already have been roasted, crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.

Shi Jingzhi swallowed hard, feeling a lingering fear.

Yin Ci noticed that Shi Jingzhi suddenly stopped in front of a pork stall. His face was indecipherable as he stared at the greasy hooks.

Despite his vast experience, Yin Zizhu couldn’t understand the unpredictable mind of the other. He paused for a moment and then guessed, “Hungry?”

To his surprise, Shi Jingzhi responded with a hint of subtle resentment on his face as he patted the meat stand, “Tonight, we’re having roast pig, and I’ll be the one to roast it.”

Yin Ci: “…” There was no need to say it with such gritted teeth.

That being said, such a deserted town was indeed a good place to lay low. Yin Ci pondered for a moment and turned to Yan Qing. “You go ahead and find Shi Zhongyu. Miss Shi is trustworthy. She should be able to help with the matters of the martial world. Now that you’ve just become the Alliance Leader, the situation is initially settled, and the Immortal Assembly might not risk moving against you.”

Yan Qing stood silently, obviously waiting for more.

Sure enough, Yin Ci paused and then continued, “If someone inquires, tell them that Sect Master Shi is critically ill and cannot travel far. He needs to recuperate here for some time.”

“Yes.”

In the past, Yan Qing would have asked about the Sect Master’s well-being. However, ever since he learned about the demon tree, he became more reticent, seemingly having his thoughts. Yin Ci didn’t feel any resentment, so he let him be.

The large town was left with just the two of them.

The sky was clear, and white clouds floated leisurely. Looking at Kushan in the distance, Shi Jingzhi felt a surreal sense of detachment. It felt as if, like twenty-four years ago, they had never parted and had always lived here.

A chubby sparrow flew over and pecked at Shi Jingzhi’s earlobe. He was then brought back to reality.

Yin Ci recognized the sparrow. “Shen Zhu?”

“Right, Shen Zhu and Su Si must have hidden well. I need to inform her about the demon tree matter. She has been researching the Invitation to God Formation for years; she must have made some discoveries.”

Shi Jingzhi playfully poked the soft sparrow and suddenly smiled faintly.

“Why are you smiling?”

“It’s nothing, just a sudden thought. Back then, I wanted to control matters outside the palace and searched everywhere for trustworthy people. At that time, Miss Shen pretended to be a maid to enter the palace, wanting to uncover the palace’s secrets. She initially thought that these ‘secrets’ had nothing to do with the Immortal Assembly and was greatly disappointed. But now…”

Shi Jingzhi coughed out blood, yet a smile still hung on his face.

“Zizhu, if there are enough ants, they can destroy a dam that stretches for thousands of miles, right?”

Su Si was a monster material, born from a demon tree. Yan Qing had ghost eyes and was a descendant of a Child of Desire. Without the bond between them, they might not even have discovered the source of Yuanxian Village. Moving further back, the Immortal Assembly overlooked a lonely girl. Without Shen Zhu, they wouldn’t recognize the Invitation to God Formation and wouldn’t find the Immortal Assembly.

All these coincidences were just typical human behavior.

A hundred years ago, Yan Budu committed suicide on Zongwu Mountain, using his flesh to mock the universe. Two hundred years ago, the Queen of Milan took a leap, hiding her hatred-filled discoveries in the snow. Three hundred years ago, the mercury in a coffin was stolen, giving the sleeping general a glimmer of hope.

His beloved, using bones as weapons, finally returned to the sunlight and met him in the mortal world.

Generation after generation of Imperial Preceptors, century after century, there were always oversights in the Hundred-Year Project. These seemingly insignificant “oversights” took root and led them to where they were now.

Sadly…

Shi Jingzhi coughed violently, spitting out a large amount of blood. Overwhelming vital qi flooded him, signaling the end of his lifespan.

Yin Ci held him up and stayed silent. They slowly walked through the desolate streets. When they reached an inn, Yin Ci finally spoke.

“Back on Huilian Mountain, we made a bet. I found the cause of your illness first and can make a request.”

“Mm.”

“I’ve decided what I want,” Yin Ci said. “I have a plan. We’ll discuss it tonight.”

“Why not now?”

“I have other things to do before we talk in detail.”

Entering the inn, Yin Ci settled Shi Jingzhi.

“Don’t even think about eating meat in your weakened state. I’ll make some medicinal porridge for you to warm up and eat tonight.”

Shi Jingzhi resisted. “No porridge, no! Zizhu, there’s no one here. Where are you going?”

“Don’t worry. This Disciple won’t abandon his Shizun. I’ll return tonight,” Yin Ci cheekily replied. “If you’re really scared, I can knock you out. I guarantee you’ll wake up at night.”

All of Shi Jingzhi’s spirit was gone. He eyed the porridge pot warily, wishing he could throw it away. Reluctantly, he rested.

“I know my body. I just need two hours to recover,” Shi Jingzhi said seriously. “Then I can eat and even run around the town. No porridge, no beating… If I don’t hear from you by dusk, I’ll prepare food and look for you.”

Yin Ci silently stroked Shi Jingzhi’s hair.

“Mm,” he said vaguely. “I remember. You’ll come looking for me.”

After that, he pushed Shi Jingzhi back onto the bed and, mercifully, didn’t prepare the porridge.

Shi Jingzhi lay restlessly in the empty inn. He eventually drifted off to sleep.

He awoke at sunset. The peach tree branches outside his window had turned orange by the setting sun. There was still no sign of Yin Ci. Gathering his strength, Shi Jingzhi rushed to the inn’s kitchen—

As promised, he’d prepare food to find Yin Ci.

Fortunately, there was still some pork left in the well water. Shi Jingzhi quickly roasted some meat and made some pancakes. He wanted to get some wine but noticed the best had been taken. It seemed Yin Ci had been here, perhaps wanting to drink alone given Shi Jingzhi’s condition.

Shi Jingzhi shook his head, picked up the food box, and left. Before leaving the courtyard, he hesitated, then plucked a peach blossom, placing it on the food box.

Yin Ci carried the Hanging Shadow Sword on his back. The scabbard was made of fragrant wood that he had gifted, so it was easy to trace by its scent. Shi Jingzhi followed the aroma, tracking it diligently along the path.

First, he came across a better wine shop on the opposite side. Various ingredients had been taken, but there was no sign of the stove being used.

…What could this mean?

Frowning, Shi Jingzhi continued, tracking the scent. Next, he passed some general stores, then a fabric shop. Yin Ci had stopped at these places but didn’t linger. From what he could tell, it seemed as if his senior disciple had dumped him at the inn and went out on his own.

The roasted meat in the food box was getting cold! At this time, the Master felt like crying but had no tears.

Quickening his pace, he followed the afterglow. However, when he reached the place where the aroma was strongest, he stopped in his tracks.

He stood in front of the town’s temple.

Kushan was already barren, and the town was pitifully small. Despite the sparse population, there was a statue of the Imperial Celestial, but it was merely a common clay statue. It had been thrown outside and shattered into pieces. But what was even more shocking—

The temple was adorned with red wedding lanterns. It seemed festive, celebrating something. The courtyard doors were ajar, and the scent of wine and food wafted from within. The setting sun painted the sky with fiery hues, and everywhere he looked, it was a lively red scene.

Shi Jingzhi stood still, his legs feeling numb. Regaining his senses, he rushed into the courtyard, holding the food box.

Unlike a typical wedding feast, there weren’t tables set for numerous guests. Only one table with two chairs, some fine dishes, and two jugs of good wine. This setup was right in the middle of the courtyard, surrounded by red fabric and lanterns, replacing the usual incense cauldron, creating an eerie, defiant atmosphere.

“You can’t just borrow someone else’s place for such things. As for the decorations… I left some silver coins. Consider them bought,” came Yin Ci’s voice. At that moment, he was sitting atop the temple’s roof.

Holding a half-drunk jug of wine, his hair and clothes fluttered in the evening breeze. When they first met, amidst falling maple leaves and the scent of wine, the scene was red all around. Now, the despair in his eyes had turned into a lively defiance.

“You came just in time. A little later, and the food would have been cold. Here, get changed first.”

A package flew towards Shi Jingzhi. When he unwrapped it, a bright red ceremonial robe was revealed.

The robe was tailored to fit, with beautiful stitches similar to his “Medicine Cures Illness” flag. It was clearly hand-stitched by Yin Ci. Shi Jingzhi, overwhelmed with emotion, nearly dropped the robe. After a while, he finally found his voice.

“You…”

Tears welled in his eyes, and it took him a while to lighten his tone.

“You didn’t keep your word. Where’s the grand palanquin you promised?”

Yin Ci paused, then laughed heartily. “The immortals are watching now. I’ll make up for it later.”

Shi Jingzhi, holding the food box adorned with peach blossoms, responded, “I’ve only brought this little gift. It’s quite disgraceful… Since I owe you now, wait and see how grand the feast I’ll host next time will be.”

Once dressed, the clothes fit perfectly. The light fabric felt like protective armor, and Shi Jingzhi had never felt so comfortable and free. Within moments, the demon tree roots on the other side seemed like insignificant weeds, unable to distract or disturb him.

As he stepped out, he bumped into Yin Ci, also in his ceremonial attire.

Yin Ci usually wore plain or gray clothes, so Shi Jingzhi had never seen him in red.

Yin Ci had exceptionally fine features, elegant but not overly flamboyant, truly resembling a gentleman of jade. Now in red attire, his usual indifference and detachment were completely hidden, leaving only a dignified sharpness and vigorous vitality. Even though his black hair still cascaded loosely, Shi Jingzhi could envision him with his hair tied back, donning armor, fighting fiercely on the battlefield.

At this moment, Yin Ci was also observing him closely. As he looked on, his expression slightly contorted, and eventually, he couldn’t help but laugh. “Who would have thought my life would be like a bizarre tale, and in the end, I’d truly marry a fox spirit in a temple.”

“Yes, I am a great immortal destined to bring about the downfall of a nation.” Shi Jingzhi couldn’t help but laugh as well, feeling no pain even from his wounds. “As for whose nation it will be, it’s still uncertain. Great General, would you be willing to join me in wreaking havoc upon the world?”

“Of course.”

“We have no heavens or ancestors to pay respects to in this setting.” Shi Jingzhi’s eyes softened. “Shall we bow to each other?”

Inside the temple, the two, resembling immortals, stepped forward to bow to each other. However, instead of bowing, Shi Jingzhi couldn’t resist and transformed the gesture into a loving kiss.

Living in this world, he had never felt so content. His disciple was truly cunning… not to mention a Child of Desire, once a mortal tasted such pleasure, how could they consider “defeat” and “death”? When he first encountered the demon tree, he thought he’d never find peace in this life. Who knew that in just a few days, he’d walk out of that hopeless darkness?

Was being with a beloved such a wondrous thing?

His overwhelming desires felt satiated and dormant, obedient to a degree that was hard to believe. Past worldly ties, the deep bond between master and disciple; after all the twists and turns, all he wanted was to live alongside “Yin Zizhu”.

After a long kiss, the two sat by the table.

The setting sun had faded, and the twilight deepened. The dishes on the table were cold-resistant. Shi Jingzhi used a mild flame to warm them, but the flavor didn’t change much. The warm glow of candles filled the courtyard. Both picked up their wine cups, took a deep breath, and almost simultaneously began to speak.

“Since you and I have already—”

“Now that we’re married—”

Considering that the other had “a plan to discuss in detail”, Shi Jingzhi hesitated. “You go first.”

“I have a plan that might save your life. Ever since discovering the secret of the flesh idol, I’ve been contemplating it.”

Yin Ci lowered his eyes and spoke calmly.

Shi Jingzhi didn’t show overt joy, only a serious, listening demeanor. The plan Yin Ci had kept hidden for so long was unlikely to be pleasant. Indeed, Yin Ci took a sip of wine first, a blush appearing on his pale skin.

After a moment’s focus, he looked solemnly at Shi Jingzhi.

“…For this plan to work, you’ll need to ‘kill’ me. Jingzhi, now that we’re married, I promise I won’t abandon you. This is my guarantee.”

As the spring breeze blew, flowers swayed in the courtyard, and the candle flames flickered. The town was silent.

Having reached this point, Yin Ci intended not to hide anything more.

Contrary to Yin Ci’s expectations, Shi Jingzhi, faced with this grim topic, showed neither despair nor anger. He just quietly looked at him, a smile gradually forming.

“Coincidentally, I was about to say the exact same thing. I also have a plan, and you’ll need to ‘kill me’.”

Shi Jingzhi poured another cup for Yin Ci, his tone playful.

“But I have to wait for a reply from Shen Zhu… Zizhu, since our thoughts align, why not discuss it after the reply? A moment in the spring night is precious and shouldn’t be wasted.”

The wind tilted the peach branches on the food box, causing the petals to gently fall.

Yin Ci’s last shred of concern faded, and his energy returned. He took his wine cup and gently pressed it to Shi Jingzhi’s lips. The lips became slightly deeper in color due to the moisture.

“You’re right.” Yin Ci moved closer; his breath mixed with a hint of wine. “Such good wine and a beautiful night aren’t for grim discussions. Husband, how about you come with me and we have another toast?”

On one side, warm wind whispered, and the aroma of wine and meat lingered. On the other, though they were alone, the atmosphere was devoid of any flirtation.

After retrieving the Shirou, Su Si didn’t immediately return to Chigou. He hid in an underground chamber, watching Shen Zhu deal with the Shirou.

Without Yan Budu’s jade eyes, the Shirou reverted to its enticing green appearance. Unfortunately, having seen its true nature and detesting the Immortal Assembly, neither had the desire to touch it.

Su Si, a man of action, had been idle for days, which almost drove him mad. But Shen Zhu remained calm, almost poking the fruit with a needle in her meticulousness. Bored, Su Si could only watch.

“Hey, hey, hey, you’re messing around so much. What are you going to do with the fire?”

Shen Zhu had been probing the Shirou for days. Initially using a lustrous mirror and jade clamps, she now had various fires ready to burn a piece of the fruit’s stem.

“It doesn’t decay and can’t be easily destroyed. It seems one must consume it to unlock its power.”

Shen Zhu mused, toasting the fruit piece over a dark flame.

“Still eating it? Haven’t you seen? It looks utterly disgusting,” Su Si grumbled while playing with a rope. “Didn’t you get the Sect Master’s letter? With that massive inverted demon tree, why bother with this thing?”

Annoyed by his nagging, Shen Zhu moved the fruit piece to another flame.

“I know you want to leave, to find your martial Alliance Leader.” Tired of his noise, she dropped her friendly demeanor. “But you’re hiding here for your safety—the Immortal Assembly might not be fooled. If you leave now, they might capture you and take the Shirou.”

She made a mock-threatening gesture, reminding him of the dangers outside.

Su Si clutched Lord Bai and fiercely stroked it. “Anyway, Sect Master Shi just wants to feign near-death in front of them. I don’t think he plans to eat it, so handing it over won’t matter much…”

“Won’t matter? I’ve looked into it thoroughly. This thing is just like the immortal wine; indeed, it shares the same origin with the bare branches.”

Shen Zhu narrowed her eyes at him.

“We can’t get the bare branches, and the immortal wine is just wine soaked with that demon, so they’re all hard to verify. But this is a genuine part of the demon tree; perhaps we can find its weakness.”

Su Si was in disbelief. “What weakness? …You want to destroy that demon tree? Have you gone mad?”

“The one who’s mad is your sect leader.”

Shen Zhu wiped her hands nonchalantly and said, “But destroying it would mean obliterating the very foundation that the Immortal Assembly cherishes. Of course, I’d be more than happy to see that.”

To Su Si’s shock, he inadvertently loosened his grip. Lord Bai managed to break free, flapping its large wings frantically. The line of flames was blown elongated by the wind, instantly igniting the papers on the table and accidentally setting Shen Zhu’s clothes on fire.

The two trusted the goose for its ability to predict auspicious and inauspicious omens. They never expected it to cause such a mess. Shen Zhu immediately grabbed the demon fruit and pressed it to her chest. “Water, now!”

Reacting swiftly, Su Si grabbed a bucket from the corner and splashed water all over Shen Zhu. The flames, which weren’t ordinary but rather poisonous, were quickly extinguished before spreading.

Shen Zhu let out a sigh of relief, releasing the Shirou with lingering fear—these flames weren’t ordinary ones; each was highly toxic. Even a slight touch resulted in several burn holes in her clothes. The Shirou was stored in a glazed container that had been enchanted with a spell, and fortunately, it was unharmed.

However, the piece that had been cut off was affected differently.

It turned a dull purplish gray, emitting a foul stench as if it was a piece of rotting flesh. After a while, it completely withered, losing its alluring aroma.

Although Su Si wasn’t as knowledgeable as the disciples of the Yueshui Pavilion and wasn’t familiar with these demonic things, one glance was enough for him to conclude—

It was dead.

The author has something to say:

They are married!!!

Sect Master Shi: I demand a grand palanquin! A grand one that needs eight people to lift! (gesturing)

Demonic Lord Yin: ? You’ll be sewing the wedding clothes next time.

<<< || Table of Contents || >>>

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

Chapter 141: The Hanging Tree

After hearing Shi Jingzhi’s intermittent description, filled with suppressed pain, Yin Ci remained silent for a long while.

The night wind gently blew into the carriage, making it cool and dry. The night sky was as clear as water, with a full moon hanging overhead. The two sat closely together, a moment that should have been deeply comforting.

However, they couldn’t even enjoy this fleeting tranquility.

“Don’t speak any further. The wound on your neck hasn’t healed. Be careful not to tear it.” Seeing Shi Jingzhi, with his still fresh injury, struggling to speak, Yin Ci extended two fingers to silence him by pressing his lips.

Shi Jingzhi, deeply traumatized, was physically and mentally exhausted. He half lay in the cramped carriage, clinging to Yin Ci, as if he couldn’t bear to move even a step away.

Yin Ci was all too familiar with this state. Twenty-four years had passed, and their situations seemed to have reversed entirely. Now, it was Shi Jingzhi who stood at the edge of the abyss, and Yin Ci needed to firmly anchor him.

“I’ll repeat it again. See if there are any oversights. Just blink your eyes to respond: once for ‘yes’, twice for ‘no’.”

Yin Ci allowed him to cling, not showing a hint of impatience or disdain.

“There is an ‘inverted colossal tree’ in Great Yun, which absorbs the vital qi of everything, especially from humans. To ensure an ample supply, it uses ‘Heaven’s Displeasure’ to weed out the weak and keep humans like livestock… Given the circumstances, Luojiu also possesses a ‘Heaven’s Displeasure’. It’s highly likely they have a similar ‘Demon Tree’.”

Shi Jingzhi instinctively wanted to nod, but a sharp pain from his throat stopped him. Startled, he stiffened and blinked instead.

“Where there’s abundant vital qi, monsters arise. Considering your condition and the numerous monster materials in Yuanxian village, it appears the sporadically appearing ‘monster’ and ‘monster material’ simply inherited a unique constitution and absorbed more vital qi from the demon tree.”

If the monster materials and monsters are influenced by this colossal tree, everything would make sense. Considering the returned vital qi as “feed”, they were just better adapted and extraordinarily thriving “anomalies”.

Shi Jingzhi seemed to have come to the same realization. His eyes dimmed, and he blinked weakly.

But Yin Ci laughed. It started as a small smile but grew into hearty laughter. A beautiful man laughing under the moonlight was a delightful sight. However, considering what might be lurking in the shadows, Shi Jingzhi felt chills.

Could it be that Yin Ci was overly stimulated and on the verge of going mad? Sect Master Shi nearly lunged forward to embrace him tightly in preparation.

However, Yin Ci just continued laughing for a long while, patting Shi Jingzhi’s back comfortingly.

“Shizun has always been shrewd. Why can’t he see through this now?”

Not only was he not in despair, but he also teased. Shi Jingzhi, looking lost, let go of Yin Ci, who still seemed as steady as a mountain. Gazing into those familiar eyes, some of Shi Jingzhi’s despair dissipated.

“If the ‘Demon Tree’ has sentience, it wouldn’t let someone as troublesome as me roam freely. At the very least, it could have signaled He Cheng’an to handle me. Yet, here I am, perfectly fine. There’s only one possibility—”

Yin Ci stated casually.

“It hasn’t gained consciousness.”

It felt like a cool drink on a scorching summer day, instantly relieving Shi Jingzhi’s anxiety.

Legends of monster materials and monsters existed a thousand years ago. However, the immortal wine and the Children of Desire only appeared after the founding of Great Yun. Behind this vast conspiracy, it might not be the demon tree itself that was pulling the strings.

After all, when humans kept livestock, they didn’t have them do unnecessary tasks.

If that thing had intelligence, why rely on humans to incite the Invitation to God? Or wait for someone to execute a “Hundred-Year Project”? It could simply target influential individuals, dangling the bait of “immortality” and let people eagerly tend to its “livestock”. If people’s loyalty wavered, they could be replaced.

Perhaps the “Inverted Colossal Tree” was just a colossal tree.

Like every other tree, drawing nutrients from their roots and growing branches upward. They existed in their own right but didn’t possess thoughts or emotions. Left to its own, it would just establish its “Heaven Displeasure” and steal vital qi from other beings.

This was no different from weeds in a field or rats in a granary.

With this realization, Shi Jingzhi’s restless spirit felt grounded. He rummaged through his belongings, pulling out Chen Qianfan’s notebook, and began writing quickly with charcoal.

Seeing Shi Jingzhi’s calm demeanor, even with a hint of determination, Yin Ci leaned in, planting a tender kiss on the corner of his lips.

[Why does the Immortal Assembly nurture the ‘Children of Desire’, using them as fodder? What’s the meaning behind it?] Shi Jingzhi revealed a faint smile.

“According to Yan Budu’s original words, consuming the ‘Shirou’ would lead to immortality. If becoming an immortal means eternal life, then my current state is probably due to it… and it most likely has something to do with the demon tree.”

Yin Ci pondered.

“The Children of Desire are very cunning and outsmart most. However, they’re often overly arrogant and desire more power, making them hard to control. Inside that ‘Shirou’, there might be a means to manipulate people.”

This was said with some reservation. Being forcefully controlled might be tolerable, but the real fear was if one’s heart got erased, turning one into a loyal puppet.

As for who this loyalty would serve and who it would benefit, that was hard to say.

After all, spending over a hundred years cultivating the perfect Child of Desire, the Immortal Assembly didn’t seem to be particularly careful. They even openly confronted Shi Jingzhi without any disguises. If the ‘Shirou’ only granted longevity and Shi Jingzhi just took it and left, wouldn’t their hundred-year long plan become a joke?

Thinking of this, Yan Budu might have seen through the tricks and didn’t want to consume the ‘Shirou’.

Shi Jingzhi seemed to understand Yin Ci’s thoughts. He gave a bitter smile and then wrote down a sentence.

[I share your thoughts. That demon tree happens to have two human flesh roots. If our assumptions are correct, the person who consumed the ‘Shirou’ might still be around. We need to find that person as soon as possible.]

“Okay.”

Shi Jingzhi still looked pale from his injuries, making Yin Ci want to call it a day.

Their hardships were rooted in the mortal world. Knowing that the strange demon tree lacked wisdom, they should focus on opposing the Immortal Assembly. This way, Shi Jingzhi wouldn’t be hindered by fear.

Yin Ci comforted Shi Jingzhi, suggesting he should rest. However, Shi Jingzhi’s eyes shone coldly in the darkness.

He touched the wound on his throat, then looked at Yin Ci, writing carefully in the book—

[There are no trees on Kushan. Cutting grass without removing its roots can lead to future troubles*. Once we expose ourselves, it’ll be hard to act again.]

_{*(斩草除根) Idiom referring to destroying something thoroughly or dealing with the problem completely so it doesn’t recur.}

Yin Ci chuckled. “What are you writing? You can’t accomplish everything at once. First, ruin their hundred-year long project; preserving our lives is the priority. As for the demon tree, we can deal with it later.”

Shi Jingzhi pursed his lips and gently shook his head. The wound didn’t hurt this time, so he sighed in relief.

A glint of affection and attachment appeared in Yin Ci’s eyes, and Shi Jingzhi knew their origin. Given Yin Ci’s personality, he probably just wanted him to live a peaceful life and leave the demon tree’s matter for after his death.

He would let Yin Ci deal with it.

[I’m insatiable. I want to grow old with you.]

After Shi Jingzhi finished writing, he circled the words “grow old with you” emphatically.

Yin Ci, realizing his thoughts were exposed, looked a bit stiff. After a pause, he tried to maintain a dignified demeanor. “Just now you were terrified, now you’re not? I think our current situation is good. Don’t think of impractical things…”

This time, Shi Jingzhi didn’t write. He cleared his throat, interrupting Yin Ci.

“No, I’m still scared.”

His voice was soft and hoarse but full of the Child of Desire’s distinctive madness.

“But I want to destroy both it and the Immortal Assembly and live with you without any reservations… I yearn for it immensely.”

In the temple at the Imperial Preceptor’s Residence.

This was Qu Duanyun’s first time here. The temple appeared darker compared to the well-lit exteriors. Incense burned for meditation wafted strongly, having been burning for a long time. Qu Duanyun identified a scent of painkillers.

The moon was obscured, making the room even darker.

There were curtains hanging in front of the altar. Behind it, a faint silhouette of a statue could be seen. Jiang Youyue took two steps forward and forcefully pulled the curtain. The sight behind made Qu Duanyun step back.

It was horrifying.

As the Imperial Preceptor’s best disciple, Qu Duanyun knew about the function of the flesh statues. But he had never seen one like this—this statue lacked the golden outer shell to hide its form and didn’t have the compassionate look of a deity. The lower half resembled a perfect statue, but the upper half was a twisted humanoid figure.

This creature’s head was the size of a human’s, but its arms and palms were about five times longer. Its spine was unnaturally bent, as if it were forcibly stuffed into a box.

The dry, hairless head’s eyes were still blinking. Suddenly exposed to the light, it squinted, making an unclear murmuring noise.

“This Disciple pays his respects to Master.”

Towards this creature, Jiang Youyue only showed reverence. He, who was usually headstrong, now seemed utterly obedient.

“Grandmaster?!” Qu Duanyun exclaimed in shock.

Although immortal wine could prolong life, it couldn’t teach people to live forever. If this monster truly was Jiang Youyue’s master, he would already be over a hundred and sixty years old—a lifespan ordinary people couldn’t achieve.

“Come here, kneel.” Jiang Youyue calmly reminded. “Previously, you only knew about the ‘Hundred-Year Project’—knowing its purpose but not the reasons behind it. Today, let Master teach you a lesson. Listen carefully.”

Qu Duanyun saw the creature twisted beyond human recognition and braced himself to kneel before it. The monster extended a huge hand, lightly placing it on Qu Duanyun’s head. The thin and withered fingers brushed past Qu Duanyun’s ear, sending shivers down his spine.

The creature paused and then murmured in an extremely vague tone. Unlike before, Qu Duanyun understood its meaning this time.

“In ancient times, there was the Hanging Tree, growing in the shadows. When it matured, it bore sparse fruits, which people called the ‘Shirou’.”

In his mind, the murmur transformed into the voice of an old man, filled with the weight of time.

“Humans find its scent enchanting, while animals are repelled by its peculiar odor. When the ‘Shirou’ appears in the world, those predestined to find it can consume it. After consumption, one’s heart becomes dominated by the Hanging Tree, achieving immortality and being called the ‘Imperial Celestial’.”

‘This is different from what Master told me,’ Qu Duanyun thought, slightly confused. Initially, his master said that only carefully cultivated individuals could eat the ‘Shirou’ to allow the Imperial Celestial to manifest. Now, it seemed anyone could consume it—even a mere farmer who stumbled upon it.

Isn’t the fate of this fruit, then, just like any ordinary tree?

The creature, seeming to be Qu Duanyun’s grandmaster, ignored his thoughts and continued, “The Hanging Tree borrows wisdom from the True Immortal, and in return, the immortal gains strength from the Hanging Tree, becoming one. When the next ‘Shirou’ matures, the immortal will be replaced—the older one will sever ties and travel to distant lands. They will then bury themselves deep in the earth, giving birth to new Hanging Trees.”

‘It’s just like any ordinary tree,’ Qu Duanyun realized. Normal trees enticed birds with its fruits, while the Hanging Tree lured humans. In the end, both aimed to spread their seeds.

As for the difference… Ordinary birds wouldn’t lose their will upon eating the fruits.

“With the assistance of the True Immortal, we can set up formations to spread roots and eliminate external threats. We can also seek good weather and avoid calamities through the power of the Hanging Tree.”

“Unfortunately, everyone is different, with varying intelligence and power. The heart of the True Immortal belongs to the Hanging Tree, but they retain the desires from their mortal lives, making it difficult to achieve eternal accomplishments. To unify all countries under Great Yun and create a prosperous era for thousands of years, one needs a purely ambitious ruler to become the true Imperial Celestial.”

“Although the True Immortal has a limited lifespan, they can guard our Great Yun for hundreds of years. From there, we can carefully select and refine. With the power of the Hanging Tree, we can achieve the grand ambition of Great Yun… This is the ‘Hundred-Year Project’.”

As the words ended, a vision was imprinted in Qu Duanyun’s mind. He saw territories merging, and a giant Hanging Tree growing, its roots reaching the skies, overshadowing the sun, creating an indescribable sight.

Between heaven and earth, temples dotted the vast landscape, each looking as insignificant as a grain of millet. Yet, it was this very grain that shaped the world.

Qu Duanyun’s heart almost stopped. He couldn’t tell who was using whom; humans using gods or the other way around.

Jiang Youyue sighed in amusement. “You… are just like me back then. Very good. If you feared the Hanging Tree, you wouldn’t be suited for this position.”

“This Disciple was arrogant and didn’t understand the painstaking efforts of my predecessors,” Qu Duanyun replied with a complicated look, regaining his senses after a long pause.

“If I could achieve such a grand legacy, I’d gladly eat the ‘Shirou’. Unfortunately, the winners write history, and Shi Jingzhi is much stronger than me… The ‘Hundred-Year Project’ will surely be realized soon.”

Jiang Youyue nodded in approval.

“But I have one more question.”

“Ask away.”

“The Hanging Tree is strange and hard to control. Master, even with the True Immortal as a mediator, have there been any mishaps over these centuries?”

Jiang Youyue’s expression shifted upon hearing this. After a brief silence, he shook his head.

“Just a minor ‘source of trouble’ that we’ve dealt with. When you’re more familiar, I’ll tell you.”

The author has something to say:

Fox: ? Guess if I’ll eat?

Demonic Lord: ? Guess where the troublemaker is now?

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Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

Chapter 140: Hanging by a Thread

Shi Jingzhi had never experienced the sensation of being “on the verge of death”.

His memories of those desperate moments were vivid, yet over the course of two decades, the bitterness of those memories had faded. This time was different. The knife that slid across his throat chilled him to the bone, followed by a burning, stabbing pain. Su Si’s strike was precise, not severing his windpipe, but the gushing blood still left Shi Jingzhi in utter shock.

It felt as if he had plunged into a frozen lake, every move requiring immense effort. All sounds seemed muffled, merging into a fuzzy cacophony. A heavy sense of fear surged, nearly consuming him.

Shi Jingzhi wished to pass out. However, his heart pounded uncontrollably while panic and terror caused tingling sensations throughout his limbs, forcing him to stay conscious. An overwhelming fear bore down on him, causing intense headaches. He could see nothing, grasp no one; his mind was filled only with suffocation and terror.

It felt like being trapped in a lightless chamber, hearing unseen instruments of torture being prepared. Such torment was too much for any ordinary person, let alone a Child of Desire.

…Was Yin Ci, buried underground for over eighty years, also in such agony?

Thinking of Yin Ci in a daze, Shi Jingzhi regained a bit of clarity. Amidst the suffocating pain, it seemed he had grasped a helping hand, settling his spirit.

But as he gradually regained lucidity, Shi Jingzhi faintly felt something else.

As his life ebbed away and his senses faded one by one, a very faint awareness emerged—

Around him, it felt like he was bound by countless unseen “fine roots”. Numerous vital qi flowed through them, continuously pouring into Shi Jingzhi’s meridians. He felt like a bizarre plant, vaguely sensing the boundaries of this odd “root system”.

When they first discovered the secrets of the flesh idol, their speculation was correct.

At the end of these “roots” were cities housing the Imperial Celestial temples. Cities like Yidu, Qizhou, and Yongsheng, densely populated metropolises, channeled particularly abundant vital qi. People knelt before the statues, praying with earnest desires. Qi, tainted with desires, was siphoned by the magic, ultimately flowing into Shi Jingzhi’s flesh and blood.

…But this was something they had already guessed.

These qi poured in ceaselessly, day and night. Not only were they enough to keep him alive, they threatened to overwhelm him. Shi Jingzhi cautiously felt this “temple root system” that spanned the entire nation, trying to decipher its mysteries.

The cold embrace of impending death clung to him, making coherent thought especially challenging. Unbeknownst to him, he lost all connection to the external world. Fighting to retain his sanity, Shi Jingzhi forced himself to delve deeper—

Despair arrived in a flash.

As if sensing Shi Jingzhi’s struggle, another force emerged from the void. It was chaotic and dim, but carried an oppressive aura, like a giant hand poised to strike, gently enclosing Shi Jingzhi within.

The force’s appearance and disappearance was but a fleeting moment. It was like a firework exploding in the dark, its transient light illuminating the shadows, or ripples in murky waters upon hitting unseen reefs.

Fortunately or unfortunately, only in that split second, Shi Jingzhi’s dwindling concentration happened to be fully focused on the “temple root system”. Thanks to this force, he inadvertently “saw” another outline.

Roots.

His “temple root system”, which spread across mountains, rivers, lakes, and seas, was entirely enveloped by another set of “roots”.

These were denser, more hidden, and even more terrifying. Their growth direction was opposite to normal plants, with roots pointing towards the sky, reminiscent of the intricate roots of a millennia-old tree. Even with an inexhaustible supply of vital qi, for a time, Shi Jingzhi couldn’t locate the origin of these roots.

All he saw were countless tendrils piercing the earth, their tips emerging above ground, drawing the essence of all things. The minuscule portion that protruded above the ground consisted of the grayish-red “bare branches”.

…The same “bare branches” that were intertwined within Yin Ci’s body, granting him immortality.

These bare branches were scattered from north to south, densely piercing the sky, outnumbering the temples by thousands, if not tens of thousands. If Yan Budu’s jade eye could reveal the entire land, all its splendors would likely be obscured by these grayish-red bare branches. Only because common folks could neither see nor touch them had they lived in peace until now.

The ordeal wasn’t over. Suppressing his fear, Shi Jingzhi took another step forward.

Though his original intent was merely to probe the Immortal Assembly, with no second chance at a near-death experience, he had to see everything clearly. Gathering all his strength, almost sacrificing half his life, he recklessly continued his search.

The more he probed, the more absurd and terrifying everything became. In his daze, Shi Jingzhi felt like an insect trying to measure an elephant—this monstrous entity seemed boundless. With his head pounding and on the brink of losing consciousness, he barely managed to discern the “trunk” of this entity.

Like roots hanging upside down with the tips of the roots, this monster’s “trunk” also delved deep into the ground, its shape twisted to the extreme. As for its thickness… If the vast land of Great Yun were divided into ten parts, the thickness of this “trunk” would occupy one or two-tenths.

Below was pure darkness. His mind was nearly boiling, his body nearly fainting, truly unable to see further.

Shi Jingzhi exhausted all his strength but could only perceive a strange corner. His artificially made “shrine root system” was sparse and fragile, merely a shallow layer. In comparison, it was like the tender roots of young rice, hardly worth mentioning.

Shi Jingzhi hovered motionlessly in the darkness, seeing bare branches rising into the sky above, and below, they became increasingly thick and twisted, merging into the unimaginable gigantic entity. With only a vague sense, it suffocated him.

So, this was the case.

No wonder Yin Ci couldn’t use his inner force; his disciple wasn’t a “leak”. As soon as he merged with the roots, Yin Ci’s meridians connected with this “upside-down giant tree”. No matter how profound Yin Ci’s inner force was, no matter how he cultivated in the future, he could never circulate his inner force—how could a pinch of salt make a roaring river salty?

For some unknown reason, Yin Ci connected with the “upside-down giant tree” and obtained its vital qi; thus, he couldn’t die normally.

…So the Imperial Preceptor used Yin Ci’s body as a foundation and created flesh idol temples. They experimented generation after generation, imitating a “small root system” to extract the vital qi.

The Child of Desire of successive generations were nurtured by this small root system.

Unfortunately, the man-made imitation was extremely crude, naturally inferior to this naturally grown monstrous entity. Too much of anything was bad. With the chaotic vital qi, being infused day and night; not only did these Children of Desire not become immortal, but they also had shorter lifespans than ordinary people.

Those ambiguous and mysterious places seem to have answers now.

Why the magic in his blood was incredibly complex, unlike that of ordinary people, and showed traces of artificial modification—it was modified from this monster, naturally intricate and hard to understand.

Why Great Yun experienced the phenomenon of “Heaven’s Displeasure”—the man-made small root system was naturally crude, incapable of such intricate tasks. But with such a vast monstrous entity, even if the “useless” people were drained to death, it was probably possible to reward the robust laborers with a bit of vital qi.

[Minor illnesses or injuries in livestock could be cured immediately. But if the disease is troublesome or the root is hurt, kill and eat it quickly; otherwise, you’ll just waste the feed.]

Who could have predicted that Yan Qing’s casual remark would prove prophetic?

Indeed, something was breeding and controlling them. In a fleeting glimpse, he saw it clearly.

Thinking of this, Shi Jingzhi shuddered.

If this malevolent entity was more straightforward, could it drain a person in a short time? What was summoned by the Invitation to God Formation? …Did the Imperial Preceptors of the past already know about this “giant tree”?

Shi Jingzhi couldn’t help but probe those branches again. In his heart now, they were no longer grotesque monsters but pens of judgment that controlled life and death.

Surprisingly, this time, he perceived something.

Among the countless roots, the “upside-down giant tree” had two roots that were particularly twisted, with a texture quite different from the surrounding roots. They were flesh-colored; one was close to him, undoubtedly connected to Yin Ci. The other extended into the distance, its end invisible.

Who or “what” was connected to that end?

As for the appearance of this “upside-down giant tree”, and what lay in the depths of the darkness, Shi Jingzhi no longer had the strength to sense or imagine.

He was overwhelmed by profound despair.

Previously, Shi Jingzhi thought his opponents were just the Immortal Assembly and, at worst, an elusive “immortal”. Now, he realized his opponent was too massive, too ancient, and too powerful. He hadn’t even figured out how to destroy his “small root system”, let alone face this colossal malevolent entity.

In the grand scheme of things, worldly affairs were child’s play. If Jiang Youyue had known about the “upside-down giant tree” from the start, if the Imperial Preceptors had a way to negotiate with this monstrous entity, then he was merely an ant in the universe. Even with thousands of loves and hates, he couldn’t withstand a flick from the fingers of such powerful beings.

Even if he were as persistent as the old man moving the mountains*, it would take countless generations. Now, with his limited lifespan, he couldn’t even take slow steps towards that goal.

*A well-known fable about the virtues of perseverance and willpower, emphasizing the idea that no obstacle is too large when faced with steadfast effort. You can read the story by going to the Wikipedia.

He couldn’t win.

No matter how he thought, Shi Jingzhi couldn’t find a way out.

…He couldn’t win; he couldn’t think of any solutions.

What could he do facing the current situation in front of him? If he refused the Shirou, he would undoubtedly die. This death wouldn’t be instantaneous. With the Shirou in hand, he would have to endure continuous hesitation and torment before death. If he didn’t refuse the Shirou, his resistance along the way would be nothing but a redundant joke, like drawing legs on a snake.

The most fatal thing was, Shi Jingzhi still didn’t know what would happen after eating the Shirou. Just this unknown hope alone was enough to produce thousands of excuses, igniting all his restless desires.

In his utter despair, a chilling thought pierced through Shi Jingzhi’s heart—

How easy it would be if he also didn’t have a human heart now.

At first, all he did was wholeheartedly strive for survival, thus navigating through the martial arts conference set up by the Immortal Assembly and, after much hardship, obtaining the Shirou. Such simple and interesting matters; he didn’t need to consider any darkness, nor have any doubts. The moment he swallowed the Shirou and before the unknown took place, he might even feel incredibly happy.

Yet, he couldn’t even bring himself to hate Yin Ci. Every time he thought of that man, his full-blown resentment couldn’t hold back, all transforming into bitterness and grievance.

Perhaps, going mad might be easier. Whether it was ending his life or losing his sanity, it was better than facing the torment of despair. Looking at it now, it seemed that the Children of Desire were destined to go down this path—hoping for an impossible ending, and willingly walking down the path of self-destruction.

But he still cherished a bit of warmth in his heart. He hadn’t watched the lanterns with that person, hadn’t tasted enough of the feeling of living with someone without any burdens. He didn’t want to die.

…He had nowhere to go, but he couldn’t stop either.

In this suffocating despair, Shi Jingzhi opened his eyes. His lips were chapped, his throat itched painfully, and he couldn’t speak a word. Seeing the concerned eyes of Yin Ci, before Shi Jingzhi could decide what expression to wear, tears streamed down on their own.

‘How embarrassing,’ he thought.

But he just couldn’t stop those tears. Under the other’s gentle gaze, all the despair and grievances seemed to burst forth. Unable to control his emotions, Shi Jingzhi moved abruptly, desperately hugging Yin Ci, trying to escape from the world for a moment.

Yin Ci seemed to sense his despair and didn’t rush or question him. The man just spoke softly, as if nothing mattered, even if the sky were falling.

His tortured beloved still didn’t know the absurdity hidden behind his “immortality”. Nor did he know the other side of this beautiful world, what kind of bizarre scenery it held.

Shi Jingzhi swallowed, feeling a tearing pain in his throat. He held Yin Ci even tighter and finally uttered a hoarse sentence.

“I’d give up everything, just to leave you alone.”

His tears were still not wiped away.

“How can I… be willing.”

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